FOREWORD
As
Chairman and Chief Executive of the Southern Education and
Library Board we are pleased to present the Board’s draft
Equality Scheme ("the Scheme"). The Scheme has been
drawn up in line with the requirements of Section 75
and Schedule 9 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 which places
new duties on public authorities to promote equality of opportunity
and good relations.
This
Scheme is important because as well as being a statement of
compliance, it outlines a plan for the more effective mainstreaming
of equality issues, thus ensuring that they are central to
the whole range of policy decision-making within the Board.
The
Board is committed to:-
- allocating
necessary resources in terms of people, time and money
to ensure the implementation of the Scheme;
- putting
in place internal arrangements to ensure that the duties
are effectively compiled with and for monitoring and reviewing
progress;
- introducing
a planned programme of communication and training on the
Scheme.
We
will consult widely with all interested parties including
parents, youth, staff and all of those who are involved with
the services that the Board provides.
We
hope that you will find this Scheme presented in such a way
that it affords you the maximum opportunity to have a constructive
input into its context. Other formats are available if you
require and we look forward to hearing your views.
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Chairman |
_________________________
Chief Executive |
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